Papers

Abstract: We systematically overview the literature in key word search and propose several promising research directions. The paper is organized by each agent in the search process; searchers, advertisers and the search engine and reviews the key research issues for each. For each group, we outline the decision process involved in key word search. For searchers, this involves what to search, where to search, which results to click, and when to exit search. For advertisers, this involves where to bid and which word or words to bid on, and how searchers and auction mechanisms moderate these behaviors. The search engine faces choices on mechanism design, website design and how much information to share with its advertisers and searchers. These choices have implications for customer lifetime value and the nature of competition between advertisers. Overall, we list a number of potential areas of future research arising from the decision processes of these various agents.

Abstract: We
systematically overview the literature in key word search and propose
several promising research directions. The paper is organized by each
agent in the search process; searchers, advertisers and the search
engine and reviews the key research issues for each. For each group, we
outline the decision process involved in key word search. For searchers,
this involves what to search, where to search, which results to click,
and when to exit search. For advertisers, this involves where to bid and
which word or words to bid on, and how searchers and auction mechanisms
moderate these behaviors. The search engine faces choices on mechanism
design, website design and how much information to share with its
advertisers and searchers. These choices have implications for customer
lifetime value and the nature of competition between advertisers.
Overall, we list a number of potential areas of future research arising
from the decision processes of these various agents.